Political Quotes

“I join with my Illinois colleagues, Mr. Shimkus, Mr. LaHood, and Mr. Hultgren, who will speak in just a moment, to recognize the life and the legacy of a great man who dedicated his life to service. For decades, the hardworking men and women of Peoria were proud to have Bob Michel fighting for them in the United States House of Representatives. And even though we were from opposite parties, I learned a lot from Bob Michel, who had been a friend of my family for decades. Like a lot of men and women from his era, Bob Michel believed in America to his core. He believed in the midwestern values that have made our heartland a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Hard work, service, community, and working together to achieve a common good, these are the values that Bob Michel lived by. Bob Michel could have gone into business and become a wealthy man. He could have left Peoria for a big city. He could have done anything he set his sights on. But what Bob Michel did was he decided to give back to the community that had given him so much, and he gave a life of service. It was in 1956 that Bob Michel ran and won his seat representing Peoria and several communities across central Illinois. Even though he went to Washington, Bob Michel's heart was always in Peoria. He never lost sight of his profound responsibility to the people that he served.…”